These days its tempting to expect women to sail safely through the process of giving birth and should anything go amiss, that they should receive prompt, effective and compassionate after care. Sadly this isn’t always the case. Which is why Grange-over-Sands have taken up their needs in support of Knitted with Love. This is a campaign run by the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, providing shawls for women and girls who come for treatment for devastating injuries as a result of childbirth. They’ve endured a prolonged and agonising obstructed labour, often lasting days and without medical support. Most have gone on to suffer the heartbreak of losing their baby. They have then been left with a debilitating and painful childbirth injury, such as obstetric fistula, causing them to leak urine and sometimes faeces. By the time these women arrive at a Hamlin Hospital, they have been shunned, stigmatised and shamed for months, years, even decades. Receiving a shawl helps women to know we care and is a beautiful and effective way to support them on their journey to full recovery, one that frequently requires extensive surgery. 
Your hand-made shawl will be theirs to treasure and keep—it may be the only thing that they have ever owned. If you would like to know more, or even donate a shawl CONTACT US
Text adapted from Hamlin Fistula UK Touchbase Pears, 750 Bristol Rd, Birmingham West Midlands B29 6NA